Process
I love my process above all. Not just because it is familiar and directs my mind, but mostly because of what I learn about the product, the business, or the production.
I do this with every project, no matter how big or small it is; there are no shortcuts on the path you have to walk with your client. The only difference is the time it takes. If you skip the process, you could fail to realize the product’s potential.
The process has a few simple loops:
1. Coffee first: define the project (what to do, the expectations, and the scope of it) with your client.
2. Research on both sides (client and yours)—this gives better clarity; sometimes we do workshops to align the direction.
3. Discuss the direction. We don’t like surprises; we want to be on the same page with the client all the time.
4. Prepare the first sketches and stay within the direction frame.
5. Mockups: test if it works.
6. Deciding the solution is one of the most demanding steps. The only thing that helps is the experience we have.
7. Rethink and improve. Your mind should be open; make the loops if necessary.
8. Finalization: make sure you are on top of everything: all the executions and all the production people involved.
The sketches we made on the computer are only halfway done. As you can see, I don’t like to call it design; most of the time, the sketch will change and adapt through the process. I listen to the craftspeople I meet along the way and make changes to improve the solution. The experience I gather with every project comes from craftsmen who know more than me.
Here is what I learned from the process:
A good process will give you satisfaction.
The looped process will give you experience.
The failed process will teach you lessons.
The finished process will give you the best projects.
Don’t miss the next essay. Signup for our newsletter
⸻ Newsletter signup
You Can’t Win in It All
Design client taste mismatch reveals a fundamental truth about creative work - not every client can recognize quality design. When instinct and sensitivity meet logic and checklists, the disconnect becomes painfully clear to those who understand craft.
Ai killed the lorem ipsum
AI generated content design has fundamentally shifted how we approach dummy text in layouts. The rise of algorithm-created content forces designers to reconsider whether ai generated content design represents creative evolution or the end of originality in our field.
How to Rebrand Without Losing Your Audience
Rebrand without losing audience trust by focusing on evolution, not revolution. The most successful rebrands preserve what audiences value while strategically improving relevance and modernizing visual elements.
The highest award for a designer: finished work, payment, and client bragging
Designer success metrics often focus on prestigious awards, but the most meaningful achievements are surprisingly practical. Designer success metrics that truly matter include project completion, fair compensation, and client satisfaction that leads to genuine recommendations.
Everything beautiful is analog
Analog design philosophy argues that our most meaningful creative experiences exist beyond digital screens. In an era where designers spend countless hours staring at monitors, the tactile process of creating physical products offers something irreplaceable. This philosophy suggests that true design mastery comes through hands-on collaboration with craftsmen and materials.
Every Comment Can Be Positive – How to Give Constructive Feedback to Designers
Artists & designers thrive on feedback, but the delivery makes all the difference. While artists & designers pour creativity and emotion into their work, not all feedback serves their growth. The key lies in transforming critique into constructive guidance that empowers rather than discourages.
Dear Client
Dear client relationships in design require honest conversations about boundaries and endings. When design partnerships no longer serve the work's integrity, respectful closure becomes essential for growth.